The Best Bassinets to Keep Your Baby Close at Night

As a huge fan of Newton’s breathable crib mattress (I really love it), I was thrilled when the brand released a bassinet several years ago and couldn’t wait to try it. Based on brand reputation and looks alone, I loved it right out of the box, and I’m happy to report that I loved it even more after actually using it. Many Babylist parents agree; it’s one of the most registered-for bassinets in the Babylist Shop.

Most parents tell me that the first—and most important—thing that drew them to the Newton bassinet is its mattress. I agree, as it’s also what I love most about it. Just like their popular crib mattress, this mini version is 100% breathable, washable and lightweight. This matters because anxiety over baby’s sleep is pretty common among new parents (raises hand…)—and anything that can help manage that is something I’m always here for. “The peace of mind with the mattress being fully breathable is awesome,” one parent told us in our Best Baby Products survey.

The other feature I like about this bassinet is the size of the sleep space. It’s big—”bigger than most bassinets,” according to another parent we spoke with—which means you’ll be able to use it longer than many other bassinets on the market. That matters, even more so since the Newton is on the pricier side as compared to other stationary bassinets. It’s also sturdy and timelessly styled, making it a good investment if you plan on having more than one child.

I found the adjustments on the Newton useful and easy to use. There are eight adjustable settings so you can find the height that works best for you, although note that even the highest setting is still rather low if you’re on the taller side. (I’m 5’10” for reference.) And while I didn’t use it much, I do like the zip-down infant access opening if you’re planning to use the bassinet as a bedside sleeper for easy access to your little one. (According to Newton, the bassinet is designed for beds 19.5 inches to 25 inches tall. If your bed is taller than this range, you can still use the bassinet, it will just be a bit lower than your bed). Parents also like that it’s fairly lightweight and easy to move around the house, although note that it doesn’t have wheels.

Because of the larger sleep space, the Newton has a bigger footprint than some other comparable bassinets. The base doesn’t slide under your bed and takes up a decent amount of real estate, even in a larger bedroom or nursery. But the tradeoff is there are no splayed legs to trip over, a common parent complaint about many “space-saving” bassinet styles. The other con parents note about this bassinet is that the zip-down side is made from fabric, not mesh. While this is not a safety concern (the bassinet is approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission), parents wish the bassinet had four mesh sides instead of just three.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 41.5” L x 22” W

• Child Guidelines: Designed for newborns up to approx. 6 mos or up to 20 lbs; stop using when baby can push up on hands and knees or roll over

Multi-function baby gear is always a win in my book. The Halo BassiNest pulls double duty as a safe place for your little one to sleep and a portable spot for them to chill around your home thanks to the removable bassinet. It’s also a popular choice among Babylist parents, with 20% naming it as their favorite bassinet in our Best Baby Products survey.

Customization and versatility are why the BassiNest has remained a parent favorite for so long. It features a 360-degree swivel, an adjustable stand for beds up to 30 inches and a retractable side wall. “It makes tending to our baby during the night so easy,” one parent told us. This adjustability is especially useful if you’re sore post-delivery. One parent called it a “must-have” for C-section parents or anyone else struggling with core strength postpartum. “The drop side was a lifesaver,” she said.

The removable bassinet feature on the BassiNest is a recent addition and, in my eyes, a thoughtful one. The bassinet portion pops off the stand for a portable—and safe—nest for baby to relax in around the house. Just note that the portable nest isn’t for sleeping when it’s detached from the BassiNest base.

While the BassiNest is designed to tuck under a bed to both save space and bring baby close, there are two caveats to know if you’re considering it. The first is that due to the angle of the legs, the base won’t slide under beds that are lower to the ground. (Halo states it fits best on bed frames that are at least 4.5 inches high.) The other is the splayed leg design. While one set of legs may slide under your bed, the other set will stick out quite a bit—and they’re *really* easy to trip over if you’re not careful.

Some parents also note that the bassinet tilts easily, especially with older or heavier babies. While I’ve never experienced this firsthand, I have seen it mentioned in many reviews and know a friend who experienced it. It’s often a slight tilt, and usually happens when the bassinet is swiveled outward and not centered on its base, but it is something to be aware of.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 30” L x 17” W

• Child Guidelines: Birth up to 20 lbs (approx. five months); stop using when baby begins to show signs of pushing up to hands and knees

Many parents don’t want to spend a lot of money on something their baby will outgrow in just a few months. And while there are many more affordable bassinet options on the market, many of them are hard to put together, offer zero adjustability or aren’t very sturdy. This Delta x babyGap pick performs well in all of those categories and then some, all for under $150, making it my pick for the best affordable bassinet option.

The Whisper can be used as either a standalone bassinet or as a bedside sleeper with the drop-down side, an impressive option considering the bassinet’s price point. There’s breathable mesh on three sides and storage pockets on two for smaller items. (There isn’t any storage underneath, though, which some parents dislike.) It’s also height-adjustable, which many bassinets at the price point are not. And it includes a waterproof mattress pad and fitted sheet, so you don’t have to search for or purchase those separately.

One more interesting thing to note: all of the fabric, minus the fitted sheet, is made from recycled water bottles. Keep in mind that the sleep space in the Whisper is the smallest of all of the bassinets on our list, measuring about 28 inches long, but I wouldn’t call it small—especially considering the average newborn is about 19-20 inches long.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 28" L X 17" W

• Child Guidelines: Babies up to 25 lbs (stop using when baby shows signs of rolling over or pushing up)

A bassinet is about safety, but it’s also about aesthetics. And there’s something about the look and style of the Iora that makes it stand out from the crowd. Combined with impressive functionality and adjustability, it’s an option I frequently recommend to parents looking for a safe and beautiful spot for their baby to sleep. This Classic Oat color is a Babylist exclusive, so you’ll only find it here.

The Iora slides both up and down and side to side, so you can find the perfect fit for your bed’s height (and you). It also makes it easy to slide the bassinet close to you in bed for quick access to your little one. While not the largest sleep space of the bassinets on our list, it’s still on the bigger side, so you’ll get many months of use out of it before your baby outgrows it.

While certainly not the lightest option, the Iora does fold down flat for travel, a feature you don’t often see in full-size, adjustable bassinets. We also love the ample storage down below and the breathable mesh sides.

There are a few obvious cons to the Iora, including its larger footprint, lack of a drop-down side and price. But one of the less obvious quirks is the mattress pad cover. You can’t purchase one directly via the brand’s website; instead, you need to contact their Customer Care directly. And the brand recommends against using an aftermarket sheet from another manufacturer since it hasn’t been safety tested by Maxi-Cosi.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 32" L x 20" W

• Child Guidelines: 0-5 months or up to 20 lbs, or until baby can push up on hands and knees

A bassinet-plus-playard combo is a great choice if you’re looking to save space, minimize the amount of baby gear you’re bringing into your home and invest in a product with more longevity than a traditional bassinet. 

This Graco Pack ‘n Play is a parent favorite; 35% of Babylist parents named it their number one playard in our annual favorite products survey. It’s a true workhorse; you won’t come across many other baby products that can do so much for so long. In addition to two bassinets—both a full-size and a removable, portable option—it also includes a wipe-clean diaper changer and a toddler playard. It’s well-priced and also includes a travel bag for storage and on-the-go.

“We use this constantly,” one parent told us. “It is our downstairs changing table, our three-month-old uses it as a night bassinet, we use it to travel. We even bought a second one for the grandparents' house. We LOVE this.”

Like many playards, this one is heavy, weighing over 35 pounds. There are wheels to help make moving it around your home easier if you need to, but keep the weight in mind if you think it might be an issue for you. And while I wouldn’t describe it as hard to open and close, it takes some practice and isn’t as smooth or intuitive as some other playards.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 26.75”L x 16”W

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 15 lbs; Portable bassinet: up to 20 lbs; Changer: up to 25 lbs; Playard: suggested use 0–2 yrs, up to 30 lbs or 35”

• Product Weight: 35.5 lbs

As a baby gear expert, the product I get asked about the most is far and away the Snoo. “Is the Snoo worth it?” and “Should I register for the Snoo?” are questions I field all the time from expecting parents. My answer? It depends.

Created by Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and creator of The 5 S’s, the Snoo is a smart bassinet that automatically responds to your baby’s cries with gradual motion and sound. It features a built-in swaddle to keep baby safely on their back, and the bassinet’s movements and sounds are designed to imitate the womb and add a few hours of sleep to your baby’s night.

Opinions on the Snoo are decidedly mixed. Many parents absolutely swear by it. “The Snoo was a game changer,” one mom told us. “It’s the absolute best,” said another. “We were able to get much-needed sleep, and our newborn loved the motion and comfort it provided. We also loved the safety aspects.”

Others, however, aren’t as obsessed. “It’s so expensive and just didn’t work for us,” said one parent in our Best Baby Products survey. “Our baby hated it so much. He hated to be swaddled and that’s the only way you can use it…[and] when he would cry and the Snoo would speed up [and] it would scare him.” Sheehan, the pediatric sleep consultant we spoke to for this guide, doesn’t recommend it to her clients. “It trains babies to require motion, and is often hard for them to be weaned from,” she says. And some pediatricians and physical and occupational therapists recommend either using it only for a short time period or skipping it altogether because it limits babies’ movements and may lead to developmental issues.

Like so many baby products, I tell expecting parents that whether or not they should register for the Snoo comes down to personal preferences. It’s by far my favorite smart bassinet, and when used as directed can be a very good option for many families. But it’s expensive, has a short usage window and there’s no way to know ahead of time how your baby will respond to it. Two alternative options are to purchase a Certified Pre-Loved Snoo that has undergone a refresh and reconditioning process for about 25% off. There’s also a rental option for $159 per month (one-month minimum rental commitment), which works out to around five dollars a day.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 35.75” L x 19” W

• Child Guidelines: For babies 0-6 mos old who cannot roll over consistently

Sometimes less is more. The LullaGo Anywhere is a sleek, simple bassinet that truly lives up to its “go anywhere” name. It’s perfect for travel because it’s lightweight (just about 12 pounds) and breaks down compactly into an included tote. (Better news: it takes only seconds to set back up again.) And it’s just as great to use at home, too. “It is literally so easy to move and maneuver,” one mom told us. “We live in a small house and loved how compact and portable it was,” said another.

The bassinet comes with a fitted sheet, so you won’t need to purchase one separately. The sleep space is on the smaller side but still roomy enough for most babies for at least a few months. Since there’s no bottom shelf, there isn’t a ton of storage, but there is a mesh pocket on the side where you can stash a few smaller items.

One more small quirk worth mentioning: to pack up this bassinet, the mattress folds in half, creating a small ridge right down the middle. Your baby likely won’t notice it, but some parents worry about the comfort.

Keep in mind that the LullaGo doesn’t have wheels. If you’re looking for a rolling bassinet (and space isn’t an issue), Chicco’s Close To You 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet is a solid choice.

Additional Specs

• Sleep Space Dimensions: 28” L x 15” W

• Child Guidelines: Infants up to 20 lbs or until baby begins to push up on hands and knees (whichever comes first)